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Janet Calvert, PHA’s regional breastfeeding co-ordinator, told Detail Data: “It’s not just about sorting out the health service, although that is a key part of it. It’s creating supportive environments for breastfeeding across communities and within families, and shifting any bias, negative attitudes and misconceptions about breastfeeding.

“In Northern Ireland we have to move further along the journey of really valuing breastfeeding.”

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The figures were sourced from the Northern Ireland Child Health System and the Northern Ireland Maternity System and detailed the feeding status of 97,737 babies born in Northern Ireland between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2016.

The analysis found:

Breastfeeding was attempted prior to discharge from hospital with 56% of all babies.

42,876 babies left hospital without having tried breastfeeding.

By discharge, the percentage of babies totally breastfeeding had fallen to 37%.

24% of babies from the most deprived backgrounds were breastfeeding when leaving hospital compared to 51% from the least deprived.

44% of babies born to mothers aged 35 to 39 years were breastfeeding at discharge compared to 17% of babies born to mothers under 20 years.